Every dog is bound to experience health issues during their life, and though they’re strong, German shepherd dogs are no exception to the rule. But which health problems are these muscular dogs prone to?
Joint and bone issues are among the most common issues for the German shepherd breed, but there are a few other issues to be aware of:
In this article, we’ll help you to be aware of the health problems that are most likely to affect your German Shepherd.
There are a handful of hereditary diseases that German Shepherds can inherit from their parents. Hip dysplasia is common for large dog breeds and is an issue among German shepherds, which is often inherited from the parent.
Some issues are rare in these striking dogs, but here are the most common health problems that your German Shepherd could potentially suffer from:
Hip and elbow dysplasia are some of the most common difficulties you can expect when owning a German shepherd dog.
This condition occurs when cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing the hip or elbow joint to become loose in the socket. This can result in osteoarthritis, which can lead to:
The best way to diagnose any kind of dysplasia is with an X-ray, which lets you know how serious the condition is. If the results are bad, then an operation may be the answer, although medications can solve milder cases.
As this condition generally affects large breeds, it’s vital to maintain their health by managing their diet correctly to ensure a healthy weight.
This becomes even more important when your dog reaches their senior years (around seven years old) to ensure they aren’t overeating or wearing out their joints with strenuous activities.
This painful, degenerative disease affects dogs the same way that arthritis affects humans. While it’s more likely to be seen in senior dogs and large dog breeds, German Shepherds can experience it at a young age due to the higher wear on their joints. Symptoms of Osteoarthritis in German Shepherds include:
It’s common for pet owners to presume their dog is getting old and start to help them take it easy, but if your dog starts to display any of these symptoms, consult with your vet and get an x-ray to be sure.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but it can be managed with physical therapy and medication.
Also known as degenerative myelopathy, this condition affects German shepherds who are born to parents who share the mutation, though it doesn’t always develop.
Degenerative disk disease will first appear in one limb and may appear as though your dog has hip dysplasia with symptoms such as swaying or struggling to stand or walk.
It’s important for German shepherd owners to get an x-ray when their dog displays these symptoms so they can be certain of how to approach the solution. Performing a DNA test will also determine clearly if your dog has inherited the degenerative gene.
While this condition isn’t life-threatening, as it progresses, your dog will lose the ability to control its back legs, and if allowed to worsen, this condition can prohibit them from using all four legs. They may also experience urinary and fecal incontinence.
Physical therapy, movement assistance equipment, medication, and a proper diet can soothe the effects of this condition, but there is currently no cure.
While your German shepherd puppy may grow into a healthy dog with a clean bill of health, it’s important to understand that German shepherd health problems can be costly to care for and, more often than not, will appear when you least expect them.
For this reason, it’s always important to get pet insurance so you’re financially prepared for any unwelcome surprises.
It’s important to do your research as some insurance plans don’t cover breed-specific illnesses, and some only cover accidents, while others will cover both.
Your plan will change depending on your location and your dog’s age, so it’s important to shop around for different quotes so you can find the plan that caters best to German Shepherd health issues.
With a healthy lifestyle, good diet and regular exercise, a German shepherd can live between 9 and 13 years.
German shepherds are robust, strong dogs who are used to hard work. Their intelligence makes them excellent companions or workmates, but it’s important to keep in mind that they can fall victim to one of many genetic health conditions.
Make sure they don’t work too hard and that you keep on top of any potential symptoms, and your GSD should enjoy a long and happy life.
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